No alternative, says management

Managers insist that there is no alternative to the pay cut despite counter proposals tabled by BECTU. The BBC is also insisting that the guides must wear a uniform in order to display the BBC brand.

No one else amongst the thousands of staff affected by the relocation is having to face a pay cut.

The vote on strike action gets underway on Tuesday 26 February; the results will be known on Tuesday 12 March.

Assistant general secretary, Luke Crawley, said:

“Our members understand the financial reality facing the BBC. What they don't understand, however, is why out of thousands of staff moving from West London to New Broadcasting House, that they are the only ones faced with a savage cut in earnings. None of the managers involved are facing any reduction in pay.

"The BBC seems very keen to tell my members that the pay cut is for the good of the department and the BBC. What managers are less keen to explain is how the workforce is expected to get by on a pay cut of nearly 20 per cent.”